Bangladesh today joins the international community in observing the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. On this solemn occasion, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a powerful message, affirming the Interim Government’s unwavering determination to eradicate the “culture of abuse” that he stated prevailed under the previous regime.
In his message, Chief Adviser Yunus unequivocally condemned torture as a “grave violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of a human being,” emphasizing that it “has no place in a just society, and it must never be tolerated under any circumstances.” He honored “the courage and resilience of the thousands of survivors in Bangladesh who bear the scars of grievous torture and dehumanizing cruelty, and the many other survivors around the world.”
The Chief Adviser explicitly stated that torture and ill-treatment were “used as tools of repression, often targeting political opponents, dissenting voices, and the vulnerable during the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2024.” He further asserted that “the misuse of legal instruments to harass, detain, and break individuals during this dark period corroded the rule of law and distorted our politics and poisoned parts of our society.”
Interim Government’s Mandate and Concrete Steps
Professor Yunus highlighted that the Interim Government’s three core mandates – trying abusers from the previous regime, implementing reforms, and holding elections – are all designed to transform Bangladesh into a nation where all citizens can live in security and dignity. He underscored that “since taking office, we have taken concrete steps to confront this legacy and build a rights-respecting state grounded in accountability and justice.”
A significant step cited by the Chief Adviser is the Interim Government’s signing of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPED). This action, he noted, signifies Bangladesh’s commitment to preventing and addressing enforced disappearances, defined as the abduction or detention of individuals by state agents or affiliated groups without acknowledgment. The signing is seen as a crucial first step toward enacting domestic legislation – a process already underway – and ensuring justice, thereby reinforcing Bangladesh’s legal commitment to eradicate torture in all its forms. International human rights organizations have recently urged the Interim Government to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances until at least December 31, 2025, to allow for thorough investigations.
Furthermore, the Interim Government has established the Commission of Inquiry of Enforced Disappearances. This independent body is tasked with investigating credible allegations of torture, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary detention, particularly those that occurred during past periods of political unrest. Its mandate includes ensuring full transparency, identifying responsible individuals, and recommending avenues for redress. Recent reports indicate that the commission’s tenure has been extended until December 31, 2025, to allow for the completion of its investigations into thousands of complaints received regarding disappearances under the previous government.
Reforms in Police and Judicial Administration
Professor Yunus also detailed ongoing “deep reforms in the police and judicial administrations.” These reforms include new training programs for law enforcement, prison authorities, and judicial officials, focusing on human rights standards, ethical conduct, and non-coercive investigative practices. Judicial oversight of detention procedures has been strengthened, with mandatory reporting and documentation of all custodial interrogations and detentions.
These initiatives follow recommendations by a Police Reform Commission, established by the Interim Government in October, which submitted its report in January. The report advised a five-step use-of-force plan based on international standards, aimed at minimizing harm, and urged prompt implementation of Supreme Court directives on arrests, searches, and interrogations. Recommendations also included amending laws, installing glass-walled interrogation rooms, and banning the practice of filing cases against unknown persons and parading suspects before the media prior to conviction.
The Chief Adviser acknowledged that these are “only initial steps, but they mark a decisive break from the past.” He concluded by stating, “Our aim is not only to prevent future violations but to restore public trust in the institutions.”
“Today, we stand in solidarity with all victims of torture, past and present. We recognize their suffering, we commit to justice and we vow: never again,” Professor Yunus declared, adding, “Let this day mark a turning point-for Bangladesh, and for all nations striving to reclaim the moral center of governance.”
